Gotham FC new record signing Jaedyn Shaw got her first goal for her club at the weekend – scoring in the 79th minute of a 2-0 win over San Diego Wave that lifted her side up to third in the NWSL table.
It underlined what she told SheKicks.net prior to the match – that the transfer fee, a record for trades between NWSL clubs when she moved from North Carolina Courage, doesn’t worry her.
“I don’t really think too much about it,” she said. “To me, it shows the club is investing in me, sees my potential, and values what I can bring. That’s something I’m really grateful for, and I want to live up to it in whatever way that means.
“It’s an incredible opportunity to be in a place that sees me for who I am and wants me to grow, develop, and be myself. I’m grateful to be part of those headlines and records, but ultimately, it comes down to what I can do on the field.”
Gotham FC at the forefront of the game – Amoros
Head coach Juan Carlos Amoros later told SheKicks.net that it was “an honour” to be part of a club that was committing to investing in its personnel.
“For me, it’s a privilege to work with this ownership group, with Carolyn Tisch [Blodgett] at the forefront and Ed [Nalbandian] driving standards from the moment I arrived — always pushing to improve the club, grow something innovative, and put every resource into it. Yael [Averbuch West] is the same, always trying to create the best possible environment for us to compete and win. To be part of a club that truly wants to be at the forefront of the game is an honour, for me, for my staff, and for the players. We’re proud to defend the Gotham badge.
“When the world stage is watching — like in February, when we’ll face Arsenal in the first [FIFA] Women’s Champions Cup — we want to make sure we’re at our very best. We have big targets, and it’s exciting to have leadership that pushes us to meet those standards.
“As for the market, this is just the reality of where the game is now. Women’s football used to be about players moving at the end of contracts or through trades. But the growth of the game — with millions of people watching, more revenue, and more interest — has created more competition. More competition brings more money, and more money means bigger transfer fees.
“Every big move still feels impactful, but I think it will become more and more normal for clubs that want to stay at the top. Sometimes, that’s simply what it takes.”
